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International Journal of Pharma Medicine and Biological Sciences Vol. 4, No.

1, January 2015

The Biochemical Changes in Patients with


Chronic Renal Failure
Khalidah S. Merzah
University of Wasit/College of Medicine, Wasit, Iraq
Email: dr_ksm@yahoo.com

Suhad Falih Hasson


Ministry of Health/Al-Zahraa Hospital, Wasit, Iraq
Email: suh_80_6@yahoo.com

Abstract—This study was conducted in AL-Zahraa general The impact of lipid abnormalities on renal function has
hospital in Al-kut city/ Iraq. To assess serum urea, been evaluated in various studies [5]. In these studies,
creatinine, lipid profile (cholesterol, TG, DHL and LDL) unfavorable lipoprotein profiles interacted as risk factors
and thyroid hormones (FT3, FT4 and TSH) in chronic renal for progressive renal decline. Abnormal lipid profiles
failure (CRF) patients it included 50 patients, 29 were males
start to appear soon after renal function begins to
and 21 were females and their age range from 20 to 60 years.
The control groups were 30; who were free from signs and deteriorate [6].
symptoms of renal disease, lipid disorders, and thyroid Thyroid hormones (TH) are necessary for growth and
hormones disorders, 20 were males and 10 were females, development of the kidney and for the maintenance of
and their ages range from22 to 66 years. The study shows water and electrolyte homeostasis. On the other hand,
that the Serum urea and creatinine concentrations in CRF kidney is involved in the metabolism and elimination of
patients were found to be significantly high compared with TH. From a clinical practice viewpoint, it should be
control group (P<0.001), Serum triglycerides concentrations mentioned that both hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism
in CRF patients were found to be normal or no significantly are accompanied by remarkable alterations in the
increase compared with control group (P> 0.05), Serum
metabolism of water and electrolyte, as well as in
cholesterol, HDL and LDL concentrations in CRF patients
were found to be no significantly lower compared with cardiovascular function. All these effects generate
control group, Serum FT3, FT4 and TSH concentrations in changes in water and electrolyte kidney management [7].
CRF patients were found to be no significantly lower Moreover, the decline of kidney function is accompanied
compared with control group and No significant by changes in the synthesis, secretion, metabolism, and
relationship between lipid profiles concentrations changes elimination of TH. Thyroid dysfunction acquires special
and thyroid hormones concentrations changes were found. characteristics in those patients with advanced kidney
disease [8]. On the other hand, the different treatments
Index Terms—renal failure, lipid profiles, thyroid hormones used in the management of patients with kidney and
thyroid diseases may be accompanied by changes or
adverse events that affect thyroid and kidney function
I. INTRODUCTION respectively.
Renal failure refers to a condition where the kidneys TH plays an important role in growth, development,
lose their normal functionality, which may be due to and physiology of the kidney [9], [10]. It is known that
various factors including infections, auto immune hypothyroidism reduces and hyperthyroidism increases
diseases, diabetes and other endocrine disorders, cancer, the kidney-to-body weight ratio by a not fully understood
and toxic chemicals. It is characterized by the reduction mechanism [11]. On the other hand, children with
in the excretory and regulatory functions of the kidney; it congenital hypothyroidism have an increased prevalence
is the ninth leading cause of death in United States as of congenital renal anomalies. These findings support an
well as most industrialized nation throughout the world important role of TH during early embryogenesis [12].
[1], [2]. Thyroid function also influences water and electrolyte
Abnormalities in lipid metabolism and dyslipidemia balance on different compartments of the body [13]. The
are known to contribute to glomerulo-sclerosis and are kidney also plays a role on the regulation of metabolism
common in renal disease [3]. In addition, post-transplant and elimination of TH and is an important target organ
dyslipidemias have been associated with an increased for TH actions [14]. The decrease in the activity of TH is
risk of ischemic heart disease and have been shown to accompanied by an inability to excrete an oral water
increase risk of chronic rejection, altered graft function overload [15]. This effect is not due to an incomplete
and mortality [4]. suppression of vasopressin production, or a decrease in
the reabsorptive ability in the dilutor segment of the
kidney tubule, but rather to a reduction in the glomerular

Manuscript received January 20, 2015; revised March 25, 2015. filtration rate (GFR) [16].

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International Journal of Pharma Medicine and Biological Sciences Vol. 4, No. 1, January 2015

Thyroid dysfunction causes significant changes in Urea is the major end product of nitrogen metabolism
kidney function. Both hypothyroidism and in most animals and is produced in a series of reactions in
hyperthyroidism affect renal blood flow, GFR, tubular the liver called the urea cycle. In the urea cycle, ammonia
function, electrolytes homeostasis, electrolyte pump is converted to urea, which is carried by blood to the
functions, and kidney structure [17]. kidneys for elimination from the body. High levels of
Chronic renal failure is often associated with urea in the blood may indicate renal failure. Urea levels
dyslipoproteinemia, high levels of cholesterol and may also be elevated in response to treatment with
triglycerides, as well as a decrease in the polyunsaturated certain drugs such as corticosteroids or in response to
fatty acids. Each of these abnormalities has been decreased kidney filtration due to dehydration or
identified as an independent risk factor for congestive heart failure. Decreased blood urea levels can
atherosclerosis [18]. Some of them persisting and occur in response to liver disease or malnutrition.
becoming worse during dialysis treatment [19]. On the In this assay, Urea concentration is determined by a
other hand, an increment of plasma homocysteine coupled enzyme reaction, which results in a colorimetric
concentration is highly prevalent among patients under (570 nm) product, proportional to the Urea present.
hemodialysis [20], [21], and it is considered an
C. Cholesterol Assay
independent risk factor for atherosclerotic complications
of end-stage renal disease [22]. Cholesterol is an important component of mammalian
The objective of this study is to find out the cell membranes where it functions in intracellular
biochemical changes (urea, creatinine, lipid profile, transport, cell signaling, and maintaining membrane
thyroid hormones) in patients with chronic renal failure fluidity. Within the blood, cholesterol circulates as both
and compare the obtained results with the results of the free acid and as cholesterol esters. Controlling serum
healthy individuals as control groups. cholesterol has an important therapeutic role as elevated
cholesterol levels are associated with the development of
II. MATERIALS AND METHODS atherosclerosis and cardiovascular pathologies. Recent
evidence suggests a disturbance of cholesterol
The control groups consisted of 30 non-hospitalized homeostasis contributes to the development of a chronic
adults with no history of systemic disease (matched for inflammatory state.
age and sex). Total cholesterol concentration is determined by a
A total of 50 diagnosed adult chronic kidney failure coupled enzyme assay, which results in a colorimetric
patients. The patient was diagnosed as renal failure for (570 nm)/fluorometric (λex = 535/λem = 587 nm) product,
both sexes based on the history, clinical examination and proportional to the cholesterol present. This kit is suitable
taking renal function test. Subject was fasting 12-14 hr. at for use with cell and tissue culture samples, urine, plasma,
the time of blood withdrawal. Their age range between serum, and other biological samples.
18-60 years where included in this study.
The chemicals and kits that were used in this study D. Triglyceride Assay
were of the highest purity. The Serum Triglyceride Determination Kit can be used
The determination of serum creatinine, urea, total for the measurement of glycerol, true triglycerides, or
cholesterol, triglyceride, high density lipoprotein (HDL), total triglycerides in serum or plasma. The procedure
low density lipoprotein (LDL), free Triiodothyronine involves enzymatic hydrolysis by lipase of the
(FT3), free Thyroxine (FT4) and serum Thyroid triglycerides to glycerol and free fatty acids. The glycerol
stimulating hormone (TSH) concentration were produced is then measured by coupled enzyme reactions.
performed by approved methods. Many of the triglyceride reagents which are
commercially available do not differentiate between
A. Creatinine Assay
endogenous glycerol and glycerol derived by hydrolytic
Creatinine is generated from creatine by nonenzymatic action of lipase on glycerides.
dehydration. Creatinine is produced at a constant rate and
is excreted from the body through kidney glomerular E. HDL and LDL Assay
filtration. Decreased kidney function can affect the rate at In the assay, cholesterol oxidase specifically
which creatinine is filtered by the kidneys and can be recognizes free cholesterol and produces products which
used as a measure of kidney function. Decreased kidney react with probe to generate color (570 nm) and
function can result in increased serum creatinine levels fluorescence (Ex/Em = 538/587 nm). Cholesterol esterase
due to the inability to clear creatinine through urine hydrolizes cholesteryl ester into free cholesterol,
excretion. Creatinine levels can be affected by changes in therefore, cholesterol ester and free cholesterol can be
muscle mass, pregnancy, or the use of angiotensin detected separately in the presence and absence of
inhibitors or angiotensin receptor antagonists. cholesterol esterase in the reactions.
In this assay, Creatinine concentration is determined by a
F. FT3 Assay
coupled enzyme reaction, which results in a colorimetric
(570 nm)/fluorometric (λex = 535/λem = 587 nm) The fT3 test is a solid phase competitive enzyme
product, proportional to the creatinine present. immunoassay. Patient serum samples, standards, and T3-
Enzyme Conjugate Working Reagent are added to wells
B. Urea Assay coated with monoclonal T3 antibody. fT3 in the patient

©2015 Int. J. Pharm. Med. Biol. Sci. 76


International Journal of Pharma Medicine and Biological Sciences Vol. 4, No. 1, January 2015

specimen and the T3 labeled conjugate compete for The level of FT3, FT4 and TSH were estimated by
available binding sites on the antibody. After 60 minutes using ELISA method.
incubation at room temperature, the wells are washed The results in Table I demonstrated the level of
with water to remove unbound T3 conjugate. A solution biochemical parameters (urea, creatinine, cholesterol, TG,
of H2O2/TMB is then added and incubated for 20 minutes, HDL, LDL, FT3, FT4 and TSH) in both male and female
resulting in the development of blue color. The color in case of chronic kidney failure patients and control
development is stopped with the addition of 3N HCl, and groups.
the absorbance is measured spectrophotometrically at 450
nm. The intensity of the color formed is proportional to TABLE I. BIOCHEMICAL PARAMETERS CHANGES IN CHRONIC KIDNEY
PATIENTS AND CONTROL GROUPS
the amount of enzyme present and is inversely related to
the amount of unlabeled fT3 in the sample. Patients Control
mean mean
G. FT4 Assay Biochemical
P.V. C.S.
The fT4 test is a solid phase competitive enzyme parameters
N= 50 N= 30
immunoassay. Serum samples, standards, and Thyroxine-
Enzyme Conjugate Working Reagent are added to wells Urea
165.24 ± 32.16 ±
P< 0.001 Hs
coated with monoclonal T4 antibody. fT4 in the 34.66 5.74
specimen and the T4 labeled conjugate compete for 7.95 ± 0.64 ±
available binding sites on the antibody. After a 60 Creatinine P< 0.001 Hs
2.44 0.14
minutes incubation at room temperature, the wells are
washed with water to remove unbound T4 conjugate. A 143.00 ± 164.73 ±
Cholesterol P> 0.05 Ns
solution of H2O2/TMB is then added and incubated for 20 32.34 27.19
minutes, resulting in the development of blue color. The 113.8 ± 110.166
TG P> 0.05 Ns
color development is stopped with the addition of 3N 5. 99 ±38.72
HCl, and the absorbance is measured
33.68 ± 42.06 ±
spectrophotometrically at 450 nm. The intensity of the HDL P> 0.05 Ns
color formed is proportional to the amount of enzyme 14.09 4.56
present and is inversely related to the amount of LDL
87.44 ± 102.86 ±
P> 0.05 Ns
unlabeled fT4 in the sample. 24.30 21.63

H. TSH Assay 2.36 ± 2.47 ±


FT3 P> 0.05 Ns
TSH ELISA Test is based on the principle of a solid 0.72 1.13
phase enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The assay FT4
0.96 ± 1.02 ±
P> 0.05 Ns
system utilizes a unique monoclonal antibody directed 0.22 0.21
against a distinct antigenic determinant on the intact TSH
molecule. Mouse monoclonal anti-TSH antibody is used 2.49 ± 2.64 ±
for solid phase (microtiter wells) immobilization, and TSH P> 0.05 Ns
1.82 2.73
goat anti-TSH antibody is used in the antibody-enzyme
(horseradish peroxidase) conjugate solution. The test
sample is allowed to react simultaneously with the The results show significant (P< 0.001) increase in
antibodies, resulting in the TSH molecule being urea and creatinine concentration in chronic renal failure
sandwiched between the solid phase and enzyme-linked patients when compared with those of the control group.
antibodies. After a 2 hour incubation at room temperature The doctors rely on plasma concentrations of waste
with shaking, the solid phase is washed with distilled materials from urea and creatinine to determine renal
water to remove unbound labeled antibodies. A solution function. These tests are sufficient to determine whether
of tetramethylbenzidine (TMB) is added and incubated a patient is suffering from kidney disease.
for 20 minutes, resulting in the development of a blue These tests help to measure the efficiency of the
color. The color development is stopped with the addition kidneys in filtering the blood. It also gets kidney function
of 1N HCl, and the resulting yellow color is measured and the amount of nitrogen and creatinine in the blood
spectrophotometrically at 450 nm. The concentration of increases.
TSH is directly proportional to the color intensity of the It uses the level of creatinine in the blood to determine
test sample. the glomerular filtration rate (GFR). GFR is used to show
how the renal function of the patient still has. GFR also
III. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION be used to determine the stage of renal disease and guide
decisions about treatment.
The levels of urea, creatinine, triglyceride (TG), total The result demonstrated non-significant (P>0.05)
cholesterol (TC), high density lipoprotein – cholesterol reduction in serum Cholesterol, HDL, and LDL-
(HDL-C), low density lipoprotein- cholesterol (LDL-C) cholesterol, concentration in chronic renal failure patients
and very low density lipoprotein –cholesterol (VLDL-L) when compared with those of the control group, while
were estimated using enzymatic methods. TG concentration is non significantly higher (P>0.05) in

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International Journal of Pharma Medicine and Biological Sciences Vol. 4, No. 1, January 2015

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International Journal of Pharma Medicine and Biological Sciences Vol. 4, No. 1, January 2015

[24] A. P. Weetman, D. R. Weightman, and M. F. Scanlon, “Impaired now, she is working in Ministry of higher education and scientific
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thyroid function in chronic renal failure,” Canadian Medical Suhad F. Hasson was born in Wasit, Iraq
Association Journal, vol. 109, pp. 282-286, 1973. in 1968. She got her B.Sc. from the College
of Science, University of Baghdad (1990);
M.Sc. Clin. Biochem. from College of
Science, University of Baghdad(2000),
Khalidah S. Merzah was born in Baghdad, Ph.D. Clin. Biochem. from University of
Iraq in 1962. She got B.Sc. (chemistry) in Baghdad, College of Science, (2007). In
College of Science, University of Baghdad 1992-2015, she worked in Ministry of
(1984); M.Sc. (Biochemistry) / University of Health/Directorate Wasit Health / Clin. Lab.
Technology (2003); Ph.D. (clinical Department. She is responsible for clinical
biochemistry) / Collage of Science for biochemistry & hormone unit in Al-Zahraa
Women, University of Baghdad (2009). In Teaching Hospital. She is a director for
1985-2003, she worked in Iraqi Atomic Clinical Laboratory Department in Alzahraa Teaching Hospital. She is
Energy Commission/ Radiopharmaceutical responsible for quality control in clinical biochemistry in Directorate
Department. In 2003-2010, she worked in Wasit Health and is a consulting committee in Ministry of Health.
Ministry of Science and Technology /
Pharmaceutical Department. From 2010 till

©2015 Int. J. Pharm. Med. Biol. Sci. 79

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